Hopkins County Central’s girls seemed to have Madisonville-North Hopkins right where they wanted it.
The Lady Storm, the defending 7th District champion, used a deliberate style of play to build a 28-21 lead midway through the third quarter.
But Madisonville (24-5) responded in a big way, putting together a 19-4 run to change the complexion of the contest.
The Lady Maroons went on to claim the district championship 45-37 Thursday night at the CAB gym in Princeton.
Both teams advance to next week’s 2nd Region tournament. As a champion, Madisonville will host a first-round game.
2nd Region Player of the Year Camryn LaGrange scored 10 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter to help the Lady Maroon comeback.
Down 32-27 entering the final frame, Madisonville took the lead at 33-32 on a basket from inside by Amari Lovan with 5:33 left in the game.
A LaGrange steal and layup made it 35-32 at the 3:41 mark.
Another layup by LaGrange with 1:21 to go made it 40-32 as Madisonville scored the first 13 points of the fourth quarter.
Hopkins Central (18-10) got back within 41-37 on a 3 by Emile Jones with 22 seconds to play, but the Lady Storm could get no closer.
Jones led the Lady Storm with 12 points. Briana Fritz and Brooklyn Clark each had 10.
For Madisonville, Jaycee Noffsinger added nine points and Lovan finished with eight.
It was the Lady Maroons’ third win over Hopkins Central this season.
Hopkins Central 9 8 15 5 — 37
Madisonville-NH 11 6 10 18 — 45
Hopkins County Central (18-10) — Jones 12, Fritz 10, Clark 10, Sutton 5.
Madisonville-North Hopkins (24-5) — LaGrange 18, Noffsinger 9, Lovan 8, Whitsell 6, Hallum 4.
